8 Tips to Help Maximize Your North Carolina Injury Claim

Posted By Twiggs, Strickland & Rabenau || 21-Mar-2017

Accidents resulting in injuries can occur at any time. However, handling
the legal aspects of a
personal injury claim can be quite arduous. There are many pitfalls that can lower the
amount of compensation awarded for the accident, which is why you should
understand how to get the best injury claim settlement.

The following are eight tips to help maximize your personal injury claim
in North Carolina:

Seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Whether you suffered an injury in a
car accident or due to a
slip and fall in a grocery store, you must first obtain medical attention so a medical
professional can address your injuries. Failing to seek medical attention
immediately after an accident can sometimes compromise your claim and
reduce the amount of damages you can recover.

Watch what you say at the scene of the accident. Although you must communicate with the other party after an accident,
be aware of what you say to other parties. You are not required to say
who is at fault or to offer additional information.

File a police report. A police report can act as a documentation of important information, including
the names and contact information of each party involved. Furthermore,
the report itself can serve as a record of facts related to the accident,
which can be used in court if a lawsuit occurs.

Remain cautious when speaking with insurance providers. Remember, insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests,
which means that they will try to find any way possible to reduce your
compensation, or deny your claim entirely. It may be helpful to have a
lawyer help deal with third parties, such as insurance adjusters.

Avoid signing any documents or forms you don’t understand. If you are not sure how a form or document will affect you in the long
run, do not sign them. Be especially wary of any documents that ask you
to release the other party from liability or require you to forfeit your
right to sue.

Keep accurate documentation of all costs and expenses related to your injury. Hospital bills, property damage costs, information on loss income, and
insurance records help determine final settlement based on the expenses
related to your accident.

Be aware of filing deadlines. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases
gives an injured individual three years from the date of the injury to
go to civil court to file a lawsuit.

Obtain the legal services of an experienced attorney. If you are demanding compensation for serious injuries, as well as pain
and suffering, beyond a few thousand dollars, then hiring a skilled lawyer
can help you recover the most favorable settlement possible.